When the sun shines in autumn it creates pure magic through its alchemy with the leaves. If spring and summer are for celebrating the green, autumn is a time of wonder and awe as the trees explode like fireworks into red, yellow, orange, brown and gold. Ballat Smithy Cottage near Loch Lomond has had a […]
May and June are the months of celebration. The celebration of a winter survived, of the promise of summer ahead, and above all a celebration of the return of the green to the landscape. Here at Ballat Smithy Cottage on the edge of Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, the green surrounds us. The […]
Scotland is blessed with a wealth of historic buildings, from majestic castles to grand country homes, but for me some of the most interesting are the ones which offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of our forebears. The National Trust for Scotland is well aware of the importance of preserving these places; the Tenement […]
When there are dozens of self catering holiday cottages near Loch Lomond to choose from, what makes Ballat Smithy Cottage one of the best? For 20 years the cottage has welcomed visitors from all over the world, and their comments reflect the pleasure they’ve found in having a place to stay which feels like home. […]
I vividly remember visiting the newly opened Landmark visitor attraction at Carrbridge in the Scottish Highlands, many (!) years ago. At the time its design and purpose were innovative and exciting – a tree top walkway among the ancient Scots pines, offering the possibility of spotting all sorts of rare and special wild things such […]
